Guitar players: Does anyone really pay attention to that "CAGED" crap?

[chrisharbin]

hehe

No, but seriously, I don't get it. I mean it's just common sense to me (shrug) Ok, so, you have a basis. But does it do anything "musically" that is so important? I keep getting vids about it popping up all over the place. Every once in a while I'll click on one and it's like "hun?"

Enlighten me if you use/like it

 

[Nyoak34]

hehe

No, but seriously, I don't get it. I mean it's just common sense to me (shrug) Ok, so, you have a basis. But does it do anything "musically" that is so important? I keep getting vids about it popping up all over the place. Every once in a while I'll click on one and it's like "hun?"

Enlighten me if you use/like it

Have you checked out any of the videos by Guthrie Trapp ? He's a huge proponent of the CAGED system and I think he is able to effectively explain why. You still may not agree but he's worth checking out if you haven't already. His whole point, I think, from a guitar players perspective is that it gives you a great headstart when it comes to connecting the whole fretboard using pretty simple concepts ... triads and chords everywhere they are possible.

 

[LesBrown]

I went from clueless to useful leads and continuing knowledge via CAGED, after decades of stupid. If you already know how to play a coherent lead all over the neck, you don't need it.

 

[chrisharbin]

Well, that is interesting the two of you. I guess, maybe, I should pay more attention to that.

I was just thinking and at times, watching and thought it was one of those things that was youboob nonsense. Thanks for your input!

 

[klasaine]

By the time I’d heard about caged (early 80s), I had already figured out my own personal little system. It’s actually similar but aligned more to how I hear relationships in music.
On a standard tuned guitar caged just exists, whether one chooses to use it or not.

 

[chrisharbin]

With some things I'm really sharp, but this, so far, seems to go right over my head. I'll look into it more today, there certainly are enough of those vids around

 

[LesBrown]

I learned my "lead guitar" from a blues scale diagram in a Jimi Hendrix guitar book I got around 1981. That diagram (E position), practice, learning leads note-for-note, and plain luck got me through multiple bands until 2016(!!!) when I took an online course on lead guitar. The course was structured on CAGED..... and then I was off, all up and down the neck, various keys and modes. I guess a lesson or 2 might have shortened that timeline, but hey, better late than never.

 

[chrisharbin]

Being a professional bassist years ago, that is OBVIOUSLY an easier instrument to learn theory and all that. But guitar still mystifies me in some ways. I mean sure, I know all the strings and such but having one or two extra stings throws me a bit at times. I'm pretty good, but even at my age, much to learn.

We'll see about this CAGED thing later today. I was just kinda miffed when I posted this to constantly keep seeing it. Seems more youboobers are making countless CAGED vids like a virus. Maybe some of you can relate.

 

[klasaine]

More important within the caged system is finding, learning, and then knowing the octave shapes.

It’s popular on YT for the same reason the modes are popular. Folks see it as this semi-mystical thing that contains some sort of “secret” knowledge … which it most definitely does not.

 

[Joe Porto]

It's actually a very simple concept...

CAGED are your open chord positions. It’s an acronym to help remember the order they occur if you bar them up the neck. If you play an open C, you can move it up to the open A shape barring the 3rd fret, open G shape barring the 5th fret, open E shape barring the 8th fret, open D shape barring the 10th fret.

It’s a simple means to improve your visualization of the whole fretboard from a harmonic standpoint, as opposed to melodically via memorizing scale positions.

 

[chrisharbin]

It's actually a very simple concept...

CAGED are your open chord positions. It’s an acronym to help remember the order they occur if you bar them up the neck. If you play an open C, you can move it up to the open A shape barring the 3rd fret, open G shape barring the 5th fret, open E shape barring the 8th fret, open D shape barring the 10th fret.

It’s a simple means to improve your visualization of the whole fretboard from a harmonic standpoint, as opposed to melodically via memorizing scale positions.

Yeah, I get that, but is it that important when it comes to making music? I'm not sure about that.

 

[chrisharbin]

Oh....another thing. The way that they present it sometimes like "you better do this or you'll suck" attitude. I really don't like that at all.

 

[klasaine]

Oh....another thing. The way that they present it sometimes like "you better do this or you'll suck" attitude. I really don't like that at all.

Yeah, well that’s the internet in a nutshell. At least tutorials.

For folks who already play and know their way around the instrument - caged is unnecessary. If someone is a beginner and wants to efficiently learn multiple chord voicings as well as how to improvise simple yet competently, caged is a good place start.

 

[swaite]

The best thing to do imho is learn all the inversions for the major, minor, diminished and augments chords.

That will not only help playing rhythm parts but for soloing too.

 

[Nyoak34]

The best thing to do imho is learn all the inversions for the major, minor, diminished and augments chords.

That will not only help playing rhythm parts but for soloing too.

... agreed... and all associated triads

 

[swaite]

... agreed... and all associated triads

Yes - three and four note chord inversions on all strings.

Diminished and augmented are easiest.

 

[chrisharbin]

Love what you guys are saying. But other than monkeying around, I mostly just track. So, I'll get an idea of what I want, work it out, then track.

But I do appreciate what you peeps are saying

 

[Joe Porto]

Yeah, I get that, but is it that important when it comes to making music? I'm not sure about that.

Understanding the concept is certainly helpful, but watching a guy stretch it out to a 15 minute YouTube lesson….probably not.

 

[chrisharbin]

Exactamundo

Again, thanks for letting me vent and some very helpful info, really appreciate it.

 

[Troychapman]

The CAGED system allows you to instantly know where the “good” notes are in any part of a song. That’s it. If that is not important to you, no need to use it. Want to end your solo on a great note? CAGED takes away the luck/guess work most players rely upon. The more chords in a song (jazz, anyone?) the more important it becomes to be able play the “good” notes. It is just one technique, but it has been used by some of the greatest guitarists in history. Pianists do the same thing: they see the notes of the chord they are playing over and choose accordingly.